Elon Musk Signs New SpaceX Commercial Launch Contracts

In a bid to outdo itself, SpaceX has given new orders for the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles. The bold declaration was made at the World Satellite Business Conference which was held in Paris recently.

The pieces of specialized equipment were to be launched on a contractual basis. HISPASAT was to be launched via a Falcon 9 while the Arabsat 6A was to have the Falcon Heavy as its launching mechanism. These new launches were a welcome addition to the already burgeoning repertoire of SpaceX.

"We are pleased to add these additional launches to our manifest," said Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX. "The diversity of our missions and customers represents a strong endorsement of our capabilities and reflects SpaceX’s efforts to provide a breadth of launch services to our growing customer base."

The breadth of the missions that SpaceX undertakes is proof of its high spirits and faith in the process of space exploration. Cape Canaveral will be the venue for the launch. And the dates set for the takeoff of both missions are a year from now and two years from now respectively.

SpaceX has over 60 missions extant and a total budget amounting to $7 billion. The Falcon Heavy has had its launch due dates changed several times in the past. This was due to unforeseen circumstances. Safety procedures have to be observed no matter what after all.

The Falcon Heavy is to be the most powerful rocket to be produced on planet earth. And it will explore the depths of space like no other space probe. It can be employed to send off at least 115,000 tons of material into orbit around the earth.

The Falcon Heavy’s horsepower level is just a little less than the Saturn V. This space vehicle was supposed to get launched two years ago. But that plan was scrapped. Now it appears that the due date for its launch is approaching. It will be a momentous event and the world will be watching to see whether the voyage of this sophisticated space vehicle proceeds in a smooth manner.

The Falcon Heavy actually consists of a trio of Falcon 9 rockets. Thus it is a composite space mission which has all the potential to overcome the odds of a harsh space environment. The rocket boosters that got employed for other missions will be retained for the launch of the Falcon Heavy.

A demo might get carried out in the upcoming spring season. Otherwise, the Falcon Heavy will only get launched when everything having to do with its internal working order is in tiptop condition.

SpaceX is the pride of the space exploration agencies. It is second only to NASA, which of course stands at the #1 spot as far as sending off missions into the vacuum of space is concerned.